The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has released a preliminary report on the helicopter that crashed at Opebi Area of Lagos State on Aug. 28.

The report was made public on Monday.

The bureau stated that the accident involved a Bell 206B III Helicopter with nationality and registration marks 5N-BQW, operated by Quorum Aviation Limited.

According to the report, the helicopter had three hours, 15 minutes of endurance fuel, while the estimated flight time was two hours 45 minutes.

The report revealed that the helicopter had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness while the pilot’s last medical examination was valid until Aug. 6.

It also said there was no evidence to show that an application for the exemption provided by the All Operators’ Letter AOL DG020/20 had been submitted to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The report revealed that the chopper had no capability to jettison fuel.

It added that the pilot’s last Proficiency Check was valid till Aug. 24, which was four days before the crash.

Three persons died in the crashed helicopter.

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The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) says it has not recovered the black box at the crash site of the ill-fated Quorum Helicopter that occurred on Friday in Lagos.

The Bureau’s Commissioner, Mr Akin Olateru, made this known at a media briefing in Lagos on Tuesday.

The unfortunate accident, which occurred on Friday, involved a Bell Helicopter 206-B III, Serial Number 3216, Engine Model Allison 250–C20B.

The Nationality Registration marks 5N-BQW operated by Quorum Aviation. The flight originated in Port Harcourt with Lagos as its intended destination.

ALSO READ: BREAKING: 2 dead, 1 rescued as helicopter crashes into building in Lagos

Olateru explained that the Helicopter type do not fall into the category that has a Flight Data Recorder (FDR) or the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), because of the weight and the seat size of the aircraft.

He said: “We are aware of the speculations circulating on social media and other public fora with regards to the probable cause of the crash and AIB’s retrieval of the Flight Data Recorder (FDR), popularly known as the Black Box.

“We would like to clarify that AIB did not retrieve an FDR from the aircraft as the Bell 206 is certified at approximately 1,519kg (3,350lbs) and featured five seats.

“It does not meet the necessary criteria for an FDR and was not featured with one. The standard requirement for an FDR in any aircraft is 10 seats.

“It is extremely important to note that the aviation industry is the most regulated industry globally, and its operations are regulated in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

“The installation and application of FDRs in aircraft is guided by ICAO Annex 6, Parts 1 and 2.

“The basic standards for both Parts are essentially similar. Part 1 applies to commercial aircraft, while Part 2 is for non-commercial operations.”

Olateru explained that an FDR on the aircraft would have aided the investigation, but nevertheless, its world class trained investigators were competent to retrieve information about a crash from the wreckage.

He added that several other components of the aircraft, the site of the crash, communication with the ATC, and other documents on the aircraft and the crew.

The commissioner said from evidence gathered till date, the helicopter had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness (C of A) till Oct. 29, 2020 and Quorum Aviation had a valid Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) that would expire Nov. 20, 2020.

Olateru said the bureau was notified of the crash of a helicopter in the Opebi area, near Lagos State at about 12:19p.m on Aug. 28, 2020.

The commissioner said its investigation team was immediately mobilised to the crash site shortly afterwards, and the following information had been obtained as at today.

“On Aug. 28, 2020, a Bell 206 BIII Helicopter with nationality and registration marks 5N-BQW, operated by Quorum Aviation Limited, started its engine at 09:15 hour.

“At 0920 hour, the helicopter lifted off from Port Harcourt Military Airport (DNPM) for EAN Hanger, Lagos Airport.

“At 11:45 hour, the aircraft established contact with Lagos Tower, reporting maintaining 1000 ft and estimating the station at 12:18 h. In the ensuing communication, the pilot was advised of station weather.

“At 12:10 hour, the pilot reported sighting the airfield and was instructed by Air Traffic Controller (ATC) to report downwind for runway 18L. At 12:16h, the ATC tried unsuccessfully to establish contact with the aircraft.

“At 12:36hour, ATC was informed of the crash of the helicopter by MMF02, a MMIA fire station.

“At the crash site, two bodies were recovered. A third occupant was evacuated, but died later in the hospital,” he said.

Olateru noted that the aircraft wreckage was also recovered and then in AIB’s custody.

He added that the bureau had been receiving cooperation from Quorum Aviation Ltd., the owners and operator of the ill-fated aircraft.

The commissioner expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the victims of the air accident and mourn the loss of our colleagues.

Olateru said an interim report into the accident would be released in the next four weeks.

He said AIB would like to point out that investigations were currently ongoing and conjecture at this stage was detrimental to the process.

Olateru said accident investigation was in phases and all procedures were performed in accordance with the Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations 2019 and the guidance of ICAO Annex 13.

He said at this instance and in line with the phases of accident investigation processes, AIB was at the stage of evidence gathering.

Olateru said, “as investigation into the crash continues, AIB needs and hereby solicits for the public and media assistance.”

He said the bureau urged the public to know that it would still be amenable to receiving any video clip, relevant evidence, or information any members of the public might have of the accident.

The commissioner said this gesture would assist the bureau to further with this investigation before the release of the final report.

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Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Saturday visited the scene of the helicopter crash at Opebi for an on-the-spot assessment.

The ill-fated chopper on Friday crashed into a fence in-between two residential buildings.

Sanwo-Olu met with some residents of the affected buildings and promised that the state government would bear the cost of the renovations and provide necessary support to cushion the impact of the tragic incident.

”We sincerely sympathize with the families of the victims.

“On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State and also on behalf of the President of Nigeria, we commiserate with the families that have lost their loved ones, that have lost the breadwinners of their families, the three Nigerians that lost their lives in this unfortunate helicopter crash that happened just about 24hours ago.

”We feel the pain and the grief that their families must be going through right now and our condolences go to these families.

”After the condolences is also to thank God that as painful as the incident might be, it also has not come with a lot of grand collateral damages.

”I have ordered an immediate integrity test conduct on both of the affected buildings to know the level of impact.

”We have seen the level of structural damage, the people mostly affected are senior citizens and we have come to see them.

”We will start working on the fence and the government agencies are here to support them, I want to commend all our frontline workers,” he said.

The governor said he would also be working with the federal agencies on the renovation of the affected buildings and on other support for the affected residents, be it physically, psychological or emotional.

The residents of the affected buildings thanked the governor and emergency response agencies for their prompt response when the accident occurred and for the quick evacuation of the helicopter wreck.

One of the owners of the affected buildings, 77-year-old Deaconess Oluwayemisi Oluwole, appealed that the repairs promised by the governor should be done quickly, for her to be able to move back into her residence.

”I thank God for what happened because there was nobody in the apartment affected by the crash. We thank God that the helicopter didn’t land on top of the house. We thank God that there was no fuel in the helicopter when it landed.

”I hope somebody will come and assess the degree of the damage, and that should be done quickly, because I have not entered the house since yesterday because I have been banned from entering the house.

”Since yesterday, a lot of people came here without observing any COVID-19 protocols. In my house now, I can count 20 face masks on the floor. So, I want to appeal to government to come and help us to sanitise the place.

”I am very happy that you (Governor Sanwo-Olu) have blood that you know something happened to your subjects and you decided to visit them. Your reign will be sweet in Jesus name,” she prayed.

Also speaking, Mr Sesan Kuyoro, a resident, thanked the several agencies of Lagos State for their quick response to the crash scene and clearing it.

Kuyoro said that their response showed the commitment of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration to the welfare of the citizens of the state.

The chopper, a Bell 206 , belonging to Quorum Aviation, was said to have been flying into Lagos from Port Harcourt, Rivers State with two crew members and a passenger when it crashlanded at Opebi area at mid-day on Friday.

Two of the victims lost their lives on the spot, while the third person who was evacuated to the Lagos State Teaching Hospital for treatment later died there.

The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) said that it had commenced investigation into the cause of the crash.

Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) Nigeria, says it has commenced investigation into an accident involving a Helicopter Bell 206B3 operated by Quorum Aviation coming from Port Harcourt to Lagos, which occurred on Friday morning.

Mr Tunji Oketunbi, General Manager, Public Affairs, AIB Nigeria, confirmed the development in a statement in Lagos on Friday.

“We have began investigation into the accident involving a Helicopter Bell 206B3 with the Nationality registration Marks 5N-BQW operated by Quorum Aviation coming from Port Harcourt to Lagos.

“The accident which occurred on the Aug. 28 at the Opebi Area of Ikeja, Lagos, with three passengers onboard, recorded two fatalities.

“As the investigating agency, AIB needs and hereby solicits for your assistance. We want the public to know that we would be amenable to receiving any video clip.

“We will also need other relevant evidence, or information any members of the public may have of the accident; that can assist us with this investigation,” he said.

Oketumbi urged the public to contact the bureau on its official communication channels:Mobile App: AIB-NWebsite: www.aib.gov.ngTwitter: @aibnigeriaInstagram @AIB_Nigeria

He said others were on Facebook: AIB NigeriaEmail: Commissioner@aib.gov.ngSMS/WhatsApp: +234807 709 0900, 0807 709 0928

Oketumbi said the bureau would appreciate the general public and media to respect the privacy of the people involved and not to assume the cause of the accident until formal report was released.

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Some residents of Salvation Road in Opebi area of Ikeja, Lagos have expressed shock over the crash of a helicopter into a building, thanking God for saving their lives.

The residents, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the scene of the incident on Friday called for proper maintenance of aircraft before flying.

Mrs Grace Awolaja, a resident told NAN that it was shocking and surprising to experience such an unexpected incident.

According to Awolaja, the helicopter was seen hovering in the sky for some minutes before crashing into the building.

“We thank God that nobody was affected in the building but l learnt that the pilot and two people died,’’ Awolaja said.

Another resident, Alhaji Saliu Bamidele, suggested that engine seizure might be responsible for the crash.

Bamidele said that the helicopter crashed at the back of house No. 16, Salvation Road, damaging two cars and the fence of the building.

Mr Mark Okeke, a fabric shop owner in front of the building, told NAN that the helicopter was cited in the air struggling to crash-land in the canal but “suddenly pick up and faced the building’’.

“We just heard loud sound with heavy dust from the house.

“Many occupants of the building were not at home.

“However, the pilot and three others on board of the helicopter were found dead.

The Acting Coordinator, Lagos Territorial Office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye confirmed to NAN that the helicopter belonged to Quorum Aviation Ltd.

Ibrahim said that the incident occurred at about 12.47 p.m. at 16, Salvation Road, Opebi, Lagos.

He confirmed that two persons died immediately while one person was taken to the intensive Care Unit of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

“The helicopter, Bell 206 with registration number 5N-BQW, which was returning from training in Port Harcourt crashed into a building at No. 16A Salvation Road, Opebi, Ikeja,’’ Farinloye said.

An official of the Accident Investigations Bureau (AIB) also confirmed the incident, saying that emergency services operators had been deployed to the scene.

The General Manager, Public Affairs of AIB, Tunji Oketunbi said that the AIB team of investigators were also on ground at the scene of the incident.

Oketunbi assured that the bureau would begin investigations into the crash immediately.

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